Congressman Mike Thompson Visits Benicia High School

was visited Monday by Representative Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, who will represent Benicia in congress if he wins the June 6 primary and, then in November, the general election.

Monday, Thompson spent time at Benicia High’s  where he watched students analyze water samples.  “I don’t think we had this kind of opportunity when we were kids,” said Thompson as he toured the classroom. 

Thompson is no stranger to Benicia.  In the 1990’s he represented the Second State Senate district, which at the time included the southern half of Solano County including Benicia and Vallejo.

The ECH2O Academy is the brainchild of Benicia High School science teacher .  The academy is a three-year program open to sophomore, juniors and seniors and includes a lot of hands on learning. 

“They see the relevance,” said Thompson while watching the students take measurements and observe microorganisms in the water samples.  “I would assume every kid in here gets the importance of the environment to their community and their future.”

Besides classroom work, ECH2O students are worked with WattzOn to perform home energy audits for Benicia citizens.  According to Bradley the academy has 45-50 community business sponsors.

“So often you hear criticism of today’s kids,” said Thompson who was clearly excited by what he was seeing in the classroom.  “Nonsense.  The kids today are fantastic.”